The Northern Renaissance

1. The Northern Renaissance

2. Christian and Northern Renaissance Humanism • Northern humanists cultivated a knowledge of the classics—a bond that united all humanists • They focused on the sources of early Christianity • Holy Scriptures and writings of Augustine, Jerome, and Ambrose • They believed the simplicity of the religion had been distorted by complicated theological arguments

3. Christian and Northern Renaissance Humanism • The reform program was the most important characteristic of northern humanism • All humans can improve themselves • Reading of classical and Christian antiquity would instill true inner piety and bring about reform • Supported schools, brought out new editions of the classics, and prepared new editions of the Bible • The concept of education would remain important to European culture

4. Christian or Northern Renaissance Humanism • Christian humanists believe people must change before society changes • Christian humanists have been called naïve or optimistic, contingent on point of view • Turmoil shattered much of the optimism • Two prominent Christian humanists, Desiderius Erasmus and Thomas More

5. Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) • Most influential of Christian humanists • Born in Holland • Educated in one of the schools of the Brothers of Common Life • Traveled widely and conversed in Latin • His Handbook of the Christian knight reflected his preoccupation with religion

6. Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) • His conception of religion: “the philosophy of Christ” • Christianity should be guiding daily light • Rejected medieval religious dogma and practices • Rejected external forms of religion • Sacraments, pilgrimages, fasts, veneration of saints, relics, etc • Emphasized original meaning of scriptures • Edited the standard Latin edition of the Bible called Vulgate

7. Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) • To Erasmus, church reform would come from the spreading of the philosophy of Jesus, providing early education in Christianity, and making commonsense criticisms of church abuses • He wrote, The Praise of Folly • Humorous critique of corrupt practices in society • Especially harsh on the clergy

8. Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) • His reforms did not achieve the reforms he’d hoped for • His moderation and emphasis on education were overwhelmed by Reformation passions • His work helped prepare the way • “Erasmus laid egg that Luther hatched” • Erasmus disapproved of Protestant reformers • Didn’t want to destroy the unity of the medieval church, just reform it

9. Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) • Son of London lawyer • Trained in the law • Fluent in Greek and Latin • Believed in putting learning to state service • Reached high level as chancellor of England

10. Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) Good friend of Erasmus Made translations from Greek authors and wrote prose and poetry in Latin Shining example of Christian family life

11. Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) • Most famous work and controversial book of his age was Utopia • Idealistic life and institutions of the community • Imaginary life on an island in the New World • Concerns for economic, social, and political problems of the day • Cooperation and reason replaces power and fame • Communal ownership of property, not private • Everyone works nine hours/day and rewarded by their needs

12. Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) • Utopia… • Possessing abundant leisure time and relieved of competition and greed • Free to do wholesome and religious things • Free to do wholesome and enriching things • Social relations, recreation, and travel were carefully controlled for the moral welfare of society and its members

13. Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) More was a man of conscience and gave up his life opposing England’s break with the Roman Catholic church over the divorce of King Henry VIII